The 2013 COSAFA Castle cup champions Zambia will tomorrow (Wednesday) face Tanzania in the semi-finals of this year’s COSAFA Castle cup. Zambia beat Botswana 2-1 with goals from Brian Mwila and Justin Shonga in the quarter finals while the Taifa Stars beat hosts South Africa via an Elias Maguri strike.
Zambia last won the title in 2013 and want to add to the 4 titles they have won in the past. Coach Wedson Nyirenda has come under heavy criticism from the fans and would want to easy it with a COSAFA Castle cup title.
He has picked a youthful squad angry for glory led by Nkana Captain Donashano Malama who himself said prior to departure for South Africa that he is keen on winning the tournament.
HEAD TO HEAD
Wednesday’s encounter will be the 31st meeting between the two. The first time they met was on 31st may 1967 in Tanzania and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Zambia holds an upper hand in this encounter as they have won 16 times with 9 draws and have only lost five times to the CECAFA side.
The fixture has only failed to register even a single goal on one occasion on 27 September 1997.
Biggest win margin :28 Jan 1978 Zambia 6-1 Tanzania International Friendly
CURRENT FORM
Tanzania are undeafetead in their last five matches with 2 wins and 3 draws.
Goals scored : 5
Goals allowed: 2
Goal difference: +3
Form: DWDDW
Zambia has one loss in their last five games, two wins and two draws.
Goals scored : 4
Goals allowed : 3
Goal difference: +1
Form : DDLWW
ZAMBIA’S GAME CHANGERS
Brian Mwila
The Green Buffaloes striker is enjoying a great streak of form and has already notched up a goal at the tournament.
Godfrey Ngwenya
The Power Dynamos midfielder is one of the most creative minds Zambian Football has and if he shows on the day Zambia will have a huge chance of winning the match.
Justin Shonga
The player from Zambia police sponsored Nkwazi is also another striker enjoying a good run of form and might just want to add to the one goal he has at this tournament so far.
